The Tech Savvy Firm

CPA Xpress - Now There Is An App For That!

    You may have been wondering why I haven't posted in a number months.  As you may have guessed, I have developed an iPhone app.  It is something I have wanted to do since the iPhone app store was introduced; however, the lack of a programming background made the project a challenge.  It took me a couple of months to gather enough general programming knowledge and skills to even begin the process. I'm pleased to say the first phase of the project is completed and the app is available in the app store.  

The design for the app was simple.  I wanted an iPhone app for quick accessibility to frequent tax questions.  One of the most frustrating aspects of my practice is not having quick access to simple tax facts, ie. mileage rates, tax rates, retirement plan limits, etc.  Basically, stuff my clients expect me to know off the top of my head, but I never do.  It has always frustrated me that the research services make it difficult to find these simple facts.  I usually end up googling for the answer instead of researching it in my research service.  This is the reason for my app, to give quick access to these facts.

In addition to tax facts I included common business ratios and phone numbers for the IRS.  I also designed "My Info Briefcase" to store various account numbers such as, EIN's, withholding numbers, licenses,  CAF, PTIN, etc.   I have some other ideas for the app that will be available later in the year and I'm sure I will receive many suggestions for other features.

The app is currently available for the iPhone, iPod Touch and soon to be available iPad.  You can find out more about the features of the app at www.cpaxpress.net.   I hope you enjoy the app and find it as useful as I have.   Feel free to leave me some positive feedback on iTunes.  If you have any suggestions or requests for additional features visit the app site.

 

PhoneTag - The Efficiency of Text

As I expounded in a previous blog, I like the efficiencies and convenience of voicemail to email.  I accomplish this with my trixbox telephony server.  The voicemails are sent to email which I can retrieve via my iPhone.  Recently, I began contemplating what could make this service better.  My thoughts moved to voicemail transcription services. 

Some of the more notables I found are Gotvoice, Voicecloud, Callwave and PhoneTag.  I was particularly looking for two specific features.  First, I needed the ability for my current voicemail files to be emailed directly to the service.  Second, I needed an unlimited pricing plan.

I first tested Gotvoice and was pleased with the setup and capabilities; however, it had one limiting flaw.  The messages I received did not retain the caller id information.  The other two services I reviewed, Callwave and Voicecloud, either did not have the ability to receive my voicemail files or was priced too high.

 I was about to give up finding a solution when I came across PhoneTag .  PhoneTag is advertised for cell phone voicemails, but as I dug deeper found it would also transcribe voicemail emails that had already been created.  I immediately signed up for the free trial and all I can say is, WOW!  After just one week of service, I don't know how I managed without it.  The transcription is very accurate (only having trouble with some proper nouns).  It is also fast, receiving my transcribed voicemails usually within 1 to 2 minutes.  The transcribed emails also retain the original voicemail file.

So why do you need this type of service.  I will give you my top three:

1. Saves time.  It is much more efficient to read an email than to listen to a voicemail.
2. Text is a more flexible format.  The transcribed email can be easily forwarded, as I did the other day to my staff from my sick bed when I was suffering from a stomach virus.
3. Paperless.  The transcription can be saved in a paperless format for your record keeping.

I have included an iPhone screenshot of an actual PhoneTag transcription I received.  As you can see the transcription is superb, especially in regards to email addresses and phone numbers. After receiving this message I can easily reply by selecting either the email address or the phone number.  The cost for the unlimited service is $29.99 per month.

 

trixbox Pro - Hybrid Hosted Telephony

Ten years ago, I purchased a Samsung Prostar PBX phone and voicemail system. Last year, I determined it was time to upgrade.   The Samsung still worked great; however, I was looking for a system with more functionality which would create greater communication efficiencies.  My first thought, as always, was to look for a hosted system.  I was able to find a number of hosted "PBX' systems; however, none seemed to fit our needs.  Then I came across a solution from Fonality.  PBXtra is a hybrid hosted IP PBX system using the open source software Asterisk.  Fonality provides the hardware and phones and you simply plug and play into your existing network.  The only fault with the system was the hardware seemed to be overpriced.  Additional research lead me to another new Fonality project which was called trixbox Pro.  The trixbox Pro system was practically identical to their PBXtra system, except it is a diy setup. 

Using the recommended hardware suggested, I ordered a server from Dell and my Aastra ip phones from Voiplink.   I setup the server and phones and downloaded a free version of the trixbox Pro SE software.  The software includes a version of linux and although seems complicated was fairly easy to setup.  Since my installation, trixbox has developed a server with the software pre-installed which makes the trixbox system more simple to setup. 

You can view from trixbox the vast features for each version.  The most notable for me have been the following, which are all included in the free version.

1. HUD - "Heads Up Display" from your computer

2. Administration from anywhere at any time through the trixbox web console

3. Access to personal extension portals through the web console

4. Voicemail to email

5. Outlook integration

Total costs for the 1998 Samsung Prostar system $10,000. Total costs for the seven extension trixbox Pro system $1,800. Communication efficiencies obtained  ~ priceless.

Citrix on an iPhone - Yes!

It looks like Citrix is definitely looking at the iPhone as one of their development platforms for their XenApp clients.  It just makes the iPhone even more of an enterprise device. I hope this becomes available soon.

I'm jealous of my wife and you should be to!

I would just like to say I am a good husband.  I say this because a little over a month ago, I purchased a new iPhone for my wife (albeit a stupid husband since the price will drop in half on July 11).  My wife and I have had a continuous argument, trying to get her on board with some type of electronic organizer to allow her to handle her PIM data (calendar, contacts, etc).  She has insisted for years to carry around a paper organizer which was never around when she needed it.  In her defense, she has tried a couple of times with electronic PIM managers with very frustrating results.  It even goes back to the old RIM PDA days.  I remember her struggles with the various syncing issues and carrying another device around issues, until she would finally discard the device.  My last effort was to try her on a Blackberry 8700.  This again was a futile effort.

About a month ago, after listening to her discuss how her schedule this summer was  overwhelming with the girl's cheerleading and swimming practices,  I put my foot down and told her I was getting her an iPhone.  Expecting a quick rebuttal and a stomp on the old proverbial foot, I suddenly realized there was hesitation in her response.  I jumped on the opportunity and said I was getting one today and unbelievably she didn't resist.  I had some difficulty finding one, which I realized latter was because a new, improved, and cheaper model was getting ready to be released.  In any case, I found one.   And what can I say.  My wife loves it.  She actually uses it.  Her most consistent comment to me about the iPhone is how easy it is to use.   She regularly checks her calendar, email  and even uses the internet.  She also loves having her music and podcasts available in her phone.

And YES!  I am jealous of my wife.  I would love to be able to replace my crackberry with an iPhone.  I have owned an iPod Touch for about six months and have used her iPhone and it is absolutely the greatest internet device/phone/music player/PIM/all around cool device I have ever used.  What is even more exciting is the possibilities of the new services, applications and capabilities coming in the next months.  I believe soon I will be able to change out my crackberry for an iPhone.  I will be able to see all of my hosted Microsoft exchange email, contacts and calendars through the new Enterprise features and I will be able to access all of my hosted applications via a Citrix ica client for the iPhone.  -"ONE DEVICE TO RULE THEM ALL"

If you would like to find out more about the new features of the new iPhone and the new services especially the cool mobileME service check it out at www.apple.com.  Also, if you have time watch the video of Steve Jobs WWDC Keynote Address to really learn new details of the upcoming iPhone capabilities.